Five on Friday

Yay! It's Friday again. And you know what that means.

1 - I have been working with a friend to make an ottoman (or two) and I've narrowed down my fabric for the family room to these two. We can't seem to pick between these, but I will this weekend. 

2 - This week we celebrated the last hot week of summer. We swam and swam with Belle as much as she wanted. Incidentally, she slept great :) I am going to miss pool time with this fish. I have absolutely loved my little pool girl this summer. I think she had the very best first summer!

3 - This week at work was absolutely exhausting. I love my job a lot, but this week was so busy! This weekend I am counting on some relaxing family time!

4 - One thing I love about this stage in Annabelle's life is how everything is so magical and fun to her. Seriously... Right now, one of her favorite things to do is go out with me to get the mail and then rip apart the ads or my magazines. Why do I even bother buying toys? 

5 - One of my good friends reminded me to add quinoa into Belle's diet. We love it so I don't know why I didn't think of this before. This probably isn't the best brand, but here's one I picked up today to have tonight with our brussel sprouts and cauliflower.

Happy Friday everyone!

Pace Yourself

I work with a woman who has back and nerve problems. I am not sure exactly what her medical issues are, but she is in pain at times and has trouble walking. She walks very slowly and sometimes has to hold on to a wall a little. She has a beautiful, young daughter. We love talking about our daughters together. I have met her daughter a couple of times. She’s maybe ten and she is so sweet.

Today I was way behind them walking down the hallway. We have a very long row of cubes lined up to get out to the main office. It’s a long stretch of hallway, but it only takes me a few seconds to get from one end to the other, maybe 20 seconds.

I walked in the door to start the long stretch back to my desk when I noticed my friend and her daughter about halfway down the hallway. My friend’s daughter was looking up at her mom, talking and smiling, and her mom was talking back to her and even put her hand on her head at one point. They were so cute, just enjoying their walk together. I noticed how her daughter didn’t speed ahead of her, but walked at the exact same, slow pace.

I am constantly reminded to slow down. I read a post a while ago, floating around Facebook, about not using the words “hurry up” to our children (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-macy-stafford/the-day-i-stopped-saying-hurry-up_b_3624798.html  ) . I read a different one today about bedtime taking forever sometimes, and how it should (http://www.karipatterson.com/2013/08/09/because-sometimes-bedtime-takes-forever-and-should/).

I love (and need) these little reminders almost daily that I really shouldn’t be in such a hurry. Maybe you needed a reminder today, too, to slow down.

 

Tuesday Topics: Four Faves on Instagram

I am a total IG junkie. After I had my daughter in early December, I texted pictures of my perfect, adorable little girl to everyone in my family almost daily. I just knew that each one of my family members wanted to see every time her little eyes were open or any new facial expression or any time she was sleeping or breathing or anything...right? Okay. I probably went a bit overboard on the texts. Because over Christmas, my brother-in-law suggested I start using Instagram (for his own sanity probably). I honestly didn't know how to use it, but I quickly figured it out and the IG world has forever since been blown up with Belle and Bo pics.

I love Instagram, honestly, because it's everything I want in Facebook without the drama. I love staying connected to my close friends and families and seeing their pictures this way. I have SO many favorite people to follow on here. It is WAY too hard to pick just four, so here are my four favorites today.

Amberbugsbarbiesweddedbliss - This girl is hillarious! I love that she loves wine, mopping, her kiddos, and her husband.

Tiffanyaustin922 - This is a newer momma, like myself, just loving on her precious little baby.

Abrown0824 - One of my lifelong friends who loves taking pictures of her baby and dogs - duh, of course I love seeing those!

Hstrass4 - My little sis is hysterical and fun!

Haileydwan_ - This girlfriend has THE most adorable sons!

Okay, this was 5, but this one was way too difficult.

Happy Tuesday friends!



Sunday Night

I have been trying to get myself a little bit more organized for the week on Sunday nights. Mondays are pretty hectic for us with work and small group (and now it is duck hunting season so my husband wakes up in the 4 am range for that - read: I wake up at 4 am-ish). 

I love, love, love this stage with Annabelle, but boy does feeding her take some time, love, and planning. My little girl loves to eat and I'm so thankful for that. She is still nursing four times a day and she's eating baby food plus finger foods.

I try my hardest to make her meals as healthy as possible. During the work week I need to plan her breakfast and lunch for each day. On a normal day she wakes up and I nurse her and then she goes to daycare to eat her breakfast. Then I go nurse her over lunch and feed her her lunch or help get it set up for her babysitter to feed her.

So tonight it dawned on me that maybe I could make the majority of her food and just send it on Monday instead of each night. (My babysitter has suggested this for quite some time.)

For breakfast I make her a combination of thawed breast milk, oatmeal, prunes, and applesauce. Then she will eat some eggs. So I made those today and will send those in a Baggie to reheat. 

For lunch she will eat a a cube or two of veggies I have made (peas, sweet potatoes, or carrots) with some rice and thawed breast milk. Then she will have her very favorite, blueberries (that I pre cut into fourths and froze), and green beans (also cut up and ready). I also send a little yogurt in case she's still hungry. And of course, I take puffs everywhere just in case.

Tonight I also made my friend's granola bar recipe for me and Davey. These are really more like no bake cookies in a bar format, but granola bars sounds healthier :)

Do you have any tips for me for fun, healthy things to pack for Annabelle? You should know I am a complete freak about small bite sizes (if you didn't already get that from the cutting blueberries in fourths comment). 

Happy Sunday friends! 

5 on Friday

1 - I found the cutest little things on Uncommon Goods website. Do you all know about this cute site? I think Belle needs these silly socks! I am already thinking about little Birthday gifts for little Bella bug and stocking stuffers. 

2 - I am pretty sure I have had the same haircut since about middle school. My brother in law owns a salon (check out The Salon on the Plaza if you are ever in KC! Thesalonkc.com) and is always telling me I should try short hair. I am just so plain though! I always think I will chop it and then wuss out. I am lovvvving Kelly Ripa's hair these days though. I might just give it a try. I mean, seriously, my hair is too long to fit in pictures!

3 - I have been finding some seriously cute things at Old Navy lately! My only issue is that I refuse to buy anything there unless it is on sale - like extreme clearance sale prices- because although it is so inexpensive to start with, the next day it will be half off or half off of half off! Plus once you wash it once it might come out shaped differently anyway. 

Here are the dresses I am keeping my eye on though. I went and tried the pink one on this weekend and it fits SO cute! I want it with black tights this fall. And the white one I think will look cute this fall still with golds and tans.

4 - David's cousin Suzy is an amazing, talented artist. I have bragged on her many, many times. She is the one that made Annabelle's quilt. She has now launched her website and Facebook page where you can order custom quilts! I am so excited! Take a minute and check out her pages. She is so awesome! Suzyquilts.com 

Belle lovin' on her quilt. 

5 - Our sweet Bella Kayle is 9 months old today! I cannot believe that statement is true. I still try to pretend she's a little baby at times, but honestly, this stage is SO much fun. I love her little attitude and her giggles and open mouthed kisses. I just love everything about her right now. Last night she had a rough night sleeping. She has never liked to be cuddled or rocked to sleep, but for some reason she let me hold her for a few minutes and she laid on me. I spent the whole time thanking God for that moment and trying not to cry and wake her up. It only lasted a few minutes (the cuddles, not the awake time - that lasted hours!), but it was so precious for me. She is so amazingly wonderful.

Happy 9 months Bella bear! She has now been out in the world as long as I carried her :) (She is 39 weeks old)

Fall and Football!

I have to admit I don't care all that much about football itself, but I do love everything about football season. I love tailgating, I love going to games, watching games, cuddling in on a Sunday, and I love watching my husband get so excited about this sport! He really cracks me up.

Tonight we put Belle to bed and grilled hamburgers and asparagus. I love having the sliding glass door open and watching football on the couch with my husband. 

I love Fall!

Books for Belle

I always keep a book list going of books I want to watch for and read when I have finished one. I decided I should be doing the same for Miss Belle's library too. We read books every day and I would love to get her a few of these soon to add to her collection. 

Five on Friday - Yay!

One – We are so excited to watch the MU Tigers first game this Saturday night! I need an updated picture of Annabelle in her gear, so this will be a good time to do it. Look at my tiny princess in her MU gear when she was so itty bitty. These are from January and March! I feel like they were taken yesterday.

 

Two – My oldest nephew’s Gotcha Day is today. He came to our family in 2007 and it was love at first site. He was instantly my best little friend. He’s a doll and I can’t imagine my life without him.  He is the happiest, sweetest, smartest, most sensitive little guy, and I adore him (if you cannot tell).

 

Three – September! This is the month that I will have a new niece and nephew! I’m so excited about this! Last year at Christmas Belle had two boy cousins on my side. This year, she will have those two, plus another boy and one girl, and then on David’s side she will have a boy cousin and one more cousin (we don’t know the gender). The twins are due this month and then my sister-in-law’s baby is due in November. I will get my fill for my baby fever and then get to go home and sleep at night. :)

 

Four – I am so excited for Annabelle's first Halloween. I am thinking she needs a whimsical and fun first costume! I am thinking Tinkerbelle for my Baby Belle.

Five - This is the last weekend of our pool probably. I am planning to enjoy it as much as possible. I have loved this pool so much this summer. Swimming with Annabelle has been one if my greatest memories for her first summer. I love picturing her growing up back here and having her friends over!

An Inspiring New Blog

I found a new blog today that I just love. The writer is pretty near and dear to my heart. Quite frankly, it was a little hard for me to read. But once I got past those parts where I wanted to snap this girl out of it and remind her how beautiful she is and kick anyone who had ever told her otherwise, I found her writing style hilarious, her honesty endearing, and her ideas encouraging.

If you would like to go on a journey with a young woman who is trying to be a healthier version of herself, check out http://baconandeggsercise.blogspot.com/

Magazines

This was originally a blog about books. But honestly, over the last year I've read a total of about 6 books. Really, my guilty pleasure is trashy magazines. I love them.

I guess they aren't all trashy. I love to read US Weekly, People, HGTV, This Old House, Fitness, and Better Homes and Gardens.

I have some catching up to do tonight.

My First Tuesday Topics!

Okay, you all know how excited I am to be doing my very first link up! So excited I can barely stand it.

Thanks Tiffany at the adorable http://theaustinfamilydiary.blogspot.com/ for teaching my how to link up. You are the best! Do you all follow her blog yet? She is the craftiest, happiest, new momma. And her little guy is so precious! I'm dying to meet up with her in real life ASAP.

I am getting in on this fun in the middle of her series, but I'm excited nonetheless. So here we go!

Red

Chiefs!! David and I (re)met at a Chiefs game 4 years ago. We love going to games and watching them on Sundays. And you all know how thrilled I am that MWSU hosts camp each year. I love it! And this year we got to take baby Belle to camp with us! She may be wearing pink, but it does have a Chiefs logo on it :) 

Orange

I love pumpkin everything! I love pumpkin pie, creamer and lattes, candles, bread and muffins, and any other things you can think of! I love it! Fall is definitely my favorite season!

Yellow

Let's agree to call this gold, shall we? And if we can agree on that let's just agree that MU and MWSU are the best schools around!  Fabulous.

Green

I have a green tea obsession! I love it warm or iced. I drink it every single day!

Blue

I get two for blue. One, our first little house was blue. I loved that house and each and every memory we created in it. 

And two, the Royals! Duh. Annabelle got David Royals tickets for Father's Day this year and she will each year so they can go together. 

Purple

Purple is my favorite color. My poor husband has put up with a ton of purple all over our house. I am drawn to it. I love purple clothes for both Belle and me and purple decorations. It was my wedding color and Belle's nursery color. What I think of the most in this color is this big bow we always make Annabelle wear. She wore it home from the hospital and in her newborn photos. And I still periodically put it on her to take pictures. She will wear it in a few family pics this Fall too.

Thanks for stopping by my very first link up! So fun!

Summer Baby

Annabelle was born a winter baby in the middle of one of the worst flu seasons in years. She was also born with a fever that made the doctors take her away from me in the middle of the night and have an IV put in to start antibiotics. 

All of this made me a constant nervous Nancy. (As if I needed any reasons to start with.) Every one that came to visit my baby was stopped at the door with hand sanitizer shoved in their face. Have I mentioned that I have the best friends and family. Bless their hearts for putting up with me.

Anyway, I figured one day, about eight weeks after Annabelle was born that she hadn't really ever been outside. We loaded her in her carseat completely covered in blankets and took her straight to the car in the garage and then were dropped at the door wherever we were and rushed straight in. I washed her carseat cover twice a week. 

One day that she was fussy I decided to get over myself a little and step on the porch with her (willing away any germs and viruses that were out there just ready to attack my tiny sweetheart). Annabelle immediately stopped fussing and just looked around and relaxed. 

Since that day we have tried to spend every possible minute outside with her. We are summer girls for sure. Today we woke up and had breakfast on the deck. Then after her nap we swam and had strawberries for a snack. I think she loves everything about being outside and summer.

David announced today that this might be our last week of real summer since Labor Day is this weekend. I plan to soak up every last minute of it! 

Look at this sweaty, sunscreened, strawberry faced beauty.

Fakin' It

Okay. So many of you have been kind enough to text, email, and message me about how to join in on your fun link up parties. Thank you, thank you lovelies! 

Next week, you better believe I will do my first 5 on Fridays post because I love reading those.

If I had figured out how to do it this past week, here's what I would have posted:

One - have you had zucchini chocolate cake?? Um, yum!

2 - I know I'm about four months late for this, but I'm loving these bright pants. And what I'm loving even more is that since I'm so late on this trend, I bought these from Old Navy on sale!

3 - we took sweet Belle to have some pictures taken and she had so much fun! I can't wait to get them back! Here's one of her outfits.

4 - okay so I had a small breakdown today. I had to put away Annabelle's six month clothes and I have loves these sweet Jammies forever! Tonight I pulled them back out of the box and squeezed her tushy in them for one last time because I was too sad. Poor girl!

5 - Yea, I am posting a picture of my pump room at work. I have spent a whole heck of a lot of time in there over the past 8 months and felt like showing you my daily supplies - my cooler, big drink, and the pump. Now you know where I am tucked away for a half hour every day.

There you have it.. My first (un)official 5 on Fri(Satur)day post. 

Bo and Belle

I love watching my sweet dog and daughter play. We have THE most patient and gentle dog in the world. He's always been my baby and I was a little worried when Belle was born that he would feel left out, but instead he loved her and protected her from the beginning. In the early morning hours when I would get up with her, Bo would be right by my side. And if I laid her down to go to the kitchen he would sit right by her pack n play until I came back. He has been her protector and best friend. Don't mess with his baby.